Type-writer platen and other roller.



I R. P. HERON. TYPE WRITER PLATEN AND OTHER ROLLER. APPLICATION FILED OUT. 2, 1909.

Patented July 18,1911

ZSHEETS-SHEHT l.

R. I. HERON. TYPE WRITER PLATEN AND OTHER ROLLER.

APPLIOATIGN FILED 00w. 2, 1909.

Patented July 18, 1911.

- 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

:Tooll who knit rhegj'conbem;

Refit-known that I, ROBERT P.HE'RON, a

ROBERT r nat on, or

jsYne'cUsE, NEW YORK.

TYPE-WRITER PLATEN AND OTHER.- ROLLER.

citizen of the United States, and a resident of. Syracuse, county of Onondaga, State of ,New, York, and formerly a resident, of Dolgeville, New .York, have invented cer- ..-tain new and useful Improvements in Type- IijWriter Platens. and other Rollers, of wh ch the following is a specification. 1 My invention relates to typewriter platens, to casters and to other rollers in which the characteristics secured by 1t are desirable, and comprises va'ditlerent embodiment of. the broad idea set forth in my applica-,

tion' filed of evendate herewith. In this alppliciition, as well as.1n the other, I have i ustrated and described the invention as epplied to. a. typewriter platen and to a caster, and it is-in fact especially adapted to the said uses. Nevertheless,.as above suggested, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself solely to these embodin'lents of it.

-The rollers described in both applications havethe common ch aracteristics of having a surface of greater density thanthe backing.

" Tliisc'haracteristicis however obtained by diiferent structures in the .In this case instead of the two ap lications. disks Illustrated in my other application I employ a strip of compressible material of, peculiar shape wound helically and subjected to. endwise compression.

In both the embodiments ofthe invention illustrated herein, the. roller is constructed in the manner stated having a surface of higher The degree .of absglutedensity of surface and backing may widely asm'ay alsothcirrclalive density, according to the needs to be met and the characteristics and properties required in rollers designed for different uses The two '-eriibodinients shown in the drawings illustrate this!" Obviously the caster. niust be .muchniore dense than the platen.

Following the order of illustration" in the drawings -I l'lfllil'OfQIHfiI'Sil to the platen and. tli'e'hto ,theeaster it beingun erstood that rnueh of the specification is of general application. 5

s suggested in my' othcr aplication agregt ennoyance has arisen in t typcwnters from the excessive noise occa 0 use of Specification of Letters Patent.

a lication fiIed October 2. 190a. Serial ab; 520,603.

) Patented July i8, 1911.

sioned by the platens now employed, and as applied to typewriter platens the object of my invention is to remedy this defect and to is not unduly expensive to manufacture. To this end making use of the principle above referred to by providing'a striking surface of considerable density and a backing of less density,.I have employed instead of disks a strip of felt of peculiar construct-ion wound helically arou'nd a core and subjected to a high degree of compression. This winding closely covers the core and constitutes a homogeneous unitarystructure. The roller may be made by the method hereinafter described.

The felt I employ unsized and is of considerable hardness even before compression, sized felt being objectionable, if'not other reasons, since the dry sizing is forced out as dust by the sharp impact of the type, and being furthermore harsh and likely to scratch the floor and to deteriorate when subjected to moisture, when used as a caster.

In rollers formed of windings of compressible material it is ditficult to secure a smooth dense surface, but by the use of my invention this may be accomplished and a surface may even besecured of the exceedingly high densit 1 is to s upport weight without suffering-def- -'ormat ion, the backing being sutficiently dense: to support the surface properly. My inventionconsists in a roller, the preferable embodiments of which are illustrated and described herein, whether designed. to sustain the -impact of type-bars, to endure 1 pressure,'to uphold weight or for other pur poses within the scope of the claims.- :Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a typewritter plalten'embodying my. invention, the platen being broken away j ti'on. Fig. 2 is an elevation chiefly in seei tion of a portion of the platen as formed by provide a thoroughly etficient platen which wholly inadmissible in a platen, among necessary in rollers whose function I atl each side of the middle, and parts being 1 shown in section to make clear its -construe-- i the application of a strip of diiferent shape 1 front both \Figs. 1 and 2 are shown as under com- 5 pressi n. It is to be understood, however,

that-i order to illustrate the 'difterence'in Zdensity' of the diiferent parts of the'windat shown in Fig. 1. The windings in ing, an exaggerated space has been shown between adjacent spires thereof. It will nevertheless be apparent that the strip will be so proportioned and the pressure so regulated that adjacent spires will be in more or less intimate contact at all points of their contiguous surfacesor that there will be but a slight space between them near their inner surfaces. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through adjacent spires of a winding formed by the application of the strip shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar view of adjacent spires of the winding formed by the application of the strip shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4:, both show the windings before compression. Fig. 5 is a detailed View of the plate at the left end of the platen-one end of the winding and the means whereby it is fastened. For clearness, the parts are illustratedas somewhat out of their normal positions. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a caster embodying-my invention. Fig. 7 is an elevation of the caster parts of the wheel and its supporting means being shown in section, and Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of the parts making up the caster wheel in their unassembled position before they have been subjected'to compression.

Referring to Figs. 1-5 which illustrate the application of the invention to a typewriter platen; 1 is the usual platen rod. 2 is the 7 tube surrounding the same. 3 is a core or sleeve suitably of wood on which is wound the strip 4, preferably of felt in which the ends of the fibers are presented to the outside of the strip. 5 is the plate at the left end of the platen and 6. is the ratchet plate on its opposite end. As in my disk con, struction, the tube 2 is internally screwthreaded at its ends and bushings 7 7 externally screw-threaded to co-act with the ends of the tube are provided. These bushings are each retained in position by a set screw 8 as shown in Fig. 1. 9 represents the striking surface and 10 the backing which by reason of the form of the strip are of different densities. The strip 4,-which may vary greatly in cross-section, has its outer surface wider than its inner surface. This makes it possible to secure a surface of the high density necessary and results in a backing of less density than the surface. The strip 4 is of peculiar cross section, its inner surface 11 being parallel with its outer surface 12 and one side13 being at substantially right angles with these parallel surfaces. The other side 14, however, slants inwardly toward the first mentioned side. In Fig. 3, the side 14: is shown as a continuous bevel from the outer surface to the inner surface of the strip. In Fig. however, this side extends inward at 15 substantially at right angles with the outer surface and then slants at 16 to the inner surface makingfin section a broken line.

the

suitable length is prepared, its ends being tapered. It is then wound helically around the wooden core 3 which has first been placed in position on the tube 2 within which is the rod 1. The end plates with their respective bushings are placed on rod 1 and the tapered ends of the strip are put through the slanting slots 17 in the said plates. The strip is then twisted preferably by the hands and by turning the plates, so that it tightens around the center of the roll, the ends are pulled out through the slots 17 in thesend plates as may be necessary and compression is at the same time exerted by means of these end plates by screwing in one or both of the bushings which are provided with wrench holds. Endwise compression tends to spread the strip away from the core. Twisting tends to draw it toward the core. By twisting and compressing simultaneously the strip may be made to lie flat against the core and topresent a smooth surfacewhilc at the same time possessing the requisite density in. its striking surface and backing. Chnnping dogs 1-8 having outwardly directed teeth l5) and held in position by set screws 20 to acting with depressions 21 in the backs of the dogs, permit the ends of the strips to he pulled out through the end plates but retain them against movement in the other dircction. When the proper degree of compression has been secured, the said screws can be tightened so that the dogs will hold the strip permanently in position. As shown, these dogs are formed of an angular piece of metal, the outer part of which 22 forms a tail which projects beyond the slot 1'? and l? more than covers it having a bearing surface against the outer face of the plate. The parts are so proportioned that, if further compression becomes necessary in use, this can be obtained by screwing up the bushings still further. To thiscnd both the tube 2 and the -core 3 are shorter than the poi--- tion of the roller made up of the strip, so that even when the covering is under co1npression there is stilla space at each end between the plates and the tube and corr.

In lieu of this process the strip may be wound by well ltno'wn-machinery and may be compressed in a power press of known type. Lateral. expansion may be prevented by any well known means as-a ber or tube of suitable sha e. v A

It will be understood, 0 -'course, that the dimensions of the strip and its shape depend largely upon the functions to be performed by the individual roller of which it is to constitute the covering and are to a considerable eictent determined thereby.

press eham- The specification thus far whilejcontain ing much that is of general applicability to various kinds of rollers has dealt more particularly with typewriter platens'x At this point the application of my invention to casters will be taken up and briefly dis} cussed, an effort being made to avoid needless repetition. I I

In casters there is a ncesslty for wheels which will supportweight without deformation and which nevertheless will-notfinjure the floors. A- material which admirably fulfils the latter requirement. isunsized felt,

- and when this isgiven the first requisite,

that of'power to resist deformation, .a thoroughly satisfactory caster results- I have found that my constructionalready described, isparticularly suitable"to casters and producesa caster which meets both asquiren-lents being sufficiently dense to retainits form while at the same time retaining-the natural characteristics (if felt which make it particularly suitable for use. in acasten. In applying my constructmn to casters hmakc the surface more dense than the rbackino" thus insurin a ver hard surmg contour, T alsoconipress the backing,

although to'a lesser degree than the surface,'

suflieiently to sustain the,latter.

Referring .to Figs. 6 7 .and'S the caster heel is rotatably mounted on pin 23 in the jaws of the caster horn 24 to which is secured the pintle 25., A caster soe'ket26 is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. The caster wheetconsistsof the col-e3 on the sleeve 2- nnd the covering is made up-of the strip 4' helically wound on the core compressed .together and retained in position by the plates 5 6 over the edges of holes in the center of which the ends of the sleeve 2 are beaded at 27. It will be noted that no fastening means for the ends of the strip are provided the plates and strip being: highlv compressed together so that the ends of the strip are permanently retained in position. flhe more highly compressed surface or tread is designatedby 9 and thehacking by 10. The strip has the form shown indfig. 4 and in Fig. 8, having apart of its side beveled or cut away indicated at 16'. As above suggested the depth. tl'liekness and shape of the strip i'n'ay be varied, it, being possible to dispense with the core altogether should this seem desirable. Thenatiire of .the 'strip' and theextent to which is compressed de pend largely on the size of the finished face of perfectly symmetrical and unvary-' litre ordinarily larger and may be denser.

In Figs. 1 and G the meeting line of the adjacentspi'res of the helix is shown for clearness althouglrin fact it would hardly bepbser'vable. In Fig. 7 which shows the helical winding under compression, I have indicated the difference in density of the. surface and backing but have not shown any 'They would not in fact exist in the finished caster, the adjacent spires being to some extent merged together.

Theelementsmaking up the caster wheel are shown unassembled in. Fig. 8. They are plete caster wheel in anysuitable power press. During compression, as suggested-in connection with the description of the method of imaking the typewriter platen, lateral expansion may be suitablyfguarded and any. tendency of the end plates to embed may be pre'vented by providing each end of the pr ss chamber with an annular ring sur rounding the end plate and terminating in the plane of its inner face or preferably in a bevel beyond saidface toward the strip.

made by the manual process described earlier in the spec fication, .it is'obvious that neater and more compact, and that the well adapted to makingqcasters, not only because surfaces and raw surfaces of other co1n- .-inequalities, insure perfect uniformity the pearance.

ofthe invention, what- I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent is prising a surface and a backingtherefor, the

surface being of greater density than. the backing.

:issembled and compressed into the COD1:

against by the provision of a press chamber of the proper shape having unyieldmg walls themselves in the adjacent parts of the strip commonly employed for treating raw-felt caster and on the work it is to perform. Casters designed to support heavier weights intermediate spaces between adj aeent spires.

While a caster wheel made with screw-. threaded bushings like the typewriter platens shown in Figs. 1 and 2, 'could be 'the construction illu'strated"'in Figs. 64% is known method j'ust referred to" is better .105 of the increase-"in speed it gives, but because bressible xn terials'so as to eliminate ard contour of the wheel, and improve its Tap- Having described the nature and "objectsl. A roller having a helical winding strip I wound .to-form a unitary covering and co'ma short side and Wound 2. A roller having a helical winding of compressible n'iat'eria'l under compression constituting a surface and a backing therefor the surface being of greater density than the backing.

2%. A. roller comprising a helical winding of compressible material having contacting sides and constituting a surface and a backing, the backing having a part of one of the contacting sides cut away, a support for said covering, and means for compressing the covering whereby the surface is made more dense than the backing.

-t. A roller comprising a felt winding constituting a surface and a backing therefor, said winding consisting of a strip of greater width near the surface of the roller than next its center, and means for retaining said winding under con'ipression, whereby the surface is maintained at a higher density than the backing. e

A roller comprising a strip wound helicallv having greater width near the surface of the roller than ncarcr itscenter and constituting a surface anda backing,'thc surface being under a higher degree of compression than the backing, and means for retaining this relation. 4

6. The combination of a support with a helical strip of compressible material wound thereon. under pressure having adjacent spires in contact at. or near the outer surface of the strip at certain stages of comprcssion, spaces being left, between the spires adjacent the support, and means for further compressing the strip to reduce the space between the spires.

7. A rollerprovided With a helical winding of felt, the winding having a compressed latching and a compressed annular portion S'lllltlltlltllllglt, said annular port-ion being of a greatcr density than the backing.

S. A roller having a covering comprising a strip of compressible material said strip having a long side and a short side and wound helically with the long side in contact with the short side, and means for com.- pressing the covering in the direction of the length of the roller.

9. A roller having a covering comprising a strip of compressible material said strip havinga side part of which is beveled and heliially with the short side and the beveled side in contact, and means for com-pressingthe covering in the direction of the length of the roller.

it). A roller comprising tt-COIIIPI'QSSlblQ winding. a support therefor. plates near the ends of said support. provided with holding it. A roller comprising a compressible.

winding, a support'therefor comprising a tube, two plates near the ends of said tube, dogs adjustable in said plates and having outwardly faced teeth to retain the winding against endwise movement in one direction while permitting it; in the other direction, and bushings supporting said plates rotutably and adapted to be screwed into the ends of the tube to force the plates toward each other. .1

12. In a roller an end plate having a diagonal slot therein, an angular dog in said slot having a tail slidable onthe outer face of the plate and provided with outwardly pointed teeth, and means for adjusting the position of the dog. 1

13.- A: roller comprising a compressible winding, a support th'erefor, plates near the ends thereof provided with means for holding the ends of the winding against movement in one direction while permitting it in the other, said plates being rotatable with respect to each other to twist the Winding, and means for forcing the plates toward each other to compress the winding and to retain it under torsion.

14.44 roller comprising a, winding, a support therefor, plates near the ends thereof provided with means for bolding the ends of the winding against movement in one direction while permitting it; in the other, said plates being rotatable with respect to eachother to twist the winding, and means for forcing theplates toward compressible each other to compress the winding and to retain it under torsion. said wlndlng when under compression extending beyond the ends of the support.

15. A typewriter platen comprising asapport, a helical winding of felt thereon constituting a Striking surface and a backing therefor, said winding consisting of a strip of greater width near the surface of the roller than next its center, and end plates, one of which is a ratchet plate, for retaining said winding under compression, where= by the striking surface is higher density than the backing.

Signed by day of September 1909.

ROBERT P. HERON. Witnesses: RAE KAPLAU,

FRANK R. LnNNox.

maintained at a me at Syracuse, N. Y., this 20th I 

